Perspectives about professionalism among undergraduate students in a medical college in India: A qualitative study

Abstract

Background: Professionalism has been recognized as an important competency of a doctor by various regulatory bodies. Objectives: The purpose of the study was to explore the perceptions of medical undergraduate students and to assess their attitude on professionalism. Materials and Methods: It was a qualitative study in which four focus group discussions were conducted, one for each year of course. Results: A total of seven themes emerged after the qualitative analysis of the data, namely qualities of a good doctor, need of teaching professionalism, ways of learning professionalism by medical students, ways of teaching professionalism, assessment of professionalism, factors promoting professionalism, and factors hindering professionalism. The students perceived that a good doctor should be committed to excellence, responsive and accountable to patients, profession and community, selfless, healthy, good communicator, ethical and law abiding, practice integrity, and social justice. The students preferred to learn professionalism by role modeling by faculties and case-based scenario discussions. Conclusion: Medical undergraduate students should be briefed about the need and importance of professionalism through small-group discussions involving narratives, case scenarios, and role modeling by faculty. Professionalism of both students and faculties should be assessed and appropriate action taken.

Perceptions on Medical Professionalism Among Future Healthcare Professionals: A Mixed Method Study

“…Response from students indicates that clinical experience and role modeling are the most crucial aspects of the educational experience for developing professionalism. The findings of our study align with the research conducted by Byszewski et al and Dhikale et al, which indicated that students favored faculty role modeling and case-based discussions as effective methods for acquiring professionalism [1,11]. The students' perspectives of the most compelling suggestion on how to enhance the curriculum was to improve interprofessional contacts and provide awards to staff and students.…”

Assessment on the Basic Competencies of Senior High School Students in the Work Immersion

“…Someone who is always honest in their job and transparent in their conduct has the ability to advance in any position (McCall, 2019). The study of Dhikale, et al (2020) showed that students liked to develop professionalism through faculty role modeling and case-based scenario discussions. Therefore, professionalism should be practiced by the senior high school students in their work immersion.…”